By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 18, 2003
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Everyone saw Jay Pandolfo's shot go in the net this time, and Jeff Friesen's winner, too.
Pandolfo scored the tying goal late in the second period Saturday and Friesen put New Jersey ahead early in the third, as the Devils defeated the Senators 5-2 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final.
"I'm glad they didn't take that one back," said Pandolfo, who lost a goal Thursday in Game 4 because it wasn't detected.
Patrik Elias and John Madden also scored in the third. New Jersey can earn its third trip to the Stanley Cup final in four years if it wins Monday at Ottawa.
"This is a game we didn't dominate, but we found a way to win," Friesen said. "We got timely goals, and obviously Jay Pandolfo's goal was the biggest of the season."
Martin Brodeur made 26 saves for New Jersey, which is 8-0 at home in the playoffs.
The Senators dominated the first two periods, outshooting the Devils 23-13. But Daniel Alfredsson took a roughing penalty with 51.7 seconds left in the second and the Devils converted 41 seconds into the third when Brian Rafalski's drive was deflected by Friesen between Patrick Lalime's pads to make it 3-2.
MIGHTY DUCKS: Anaheim gave itself plenty of time to savor its first berth in the Stanley Cup final. The upstart team, seeded No. 7 in the West, finished its second 4-0 sweep of the playoffs with a 2-1 victory late Friday over Minnesota.
If the East series goes seven games, it won't end until Friday.
"Rest is a weapon and I think we can use it," said goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who allowed only one goal to the Wild over four games, the fewest ever in a best-of-seven series.
Rookie coach Mike Babcock doesn't intend for this week to be a vacation for the Ducks.
"Our plan will be to get prepared. We will get prepared," he said emphatically. "We will have a pretty good report on the team we'll play."
RED WINGS: Prospect Igor Grigorenko had surgery on his leg and hip after a single-car accident in his native Russia.
